Physics Lecture Demonstrations

University of Wisconsin - Madison

1. Browse by Subject

Below are links to our demonstration Index by subject. The tables contains PIRA numbers, demonstration names, and abstracts. These tables contain a manifesto of existing demonstrations. Demonstrations listed in "Gray" are future demonstrations to be added and are not available here at the UW Madison. They are suggestions only.

These tables are currently being edited to conform with the exiting demonstrations here at the UW-Madison and to remove the redundant listings. Editing will be done in ascending order of PIRA numbering. For an example we have the ability to do least 303 demonstrations within mechanics alone. If I had to make a guess as to the total number of demonstrations here at the UW-Madison, it would be in the excess of 1500

2. Browse by Storage Location

Take a virtual tour of our demonstrational equipment. By clicking on the below links, you'll see how our cabinets are laid out and individual cabinet bays showing our equipment. From there, you'll be able to review any demonstration or equipment, if there is a link.

4. Browse by Course

We have developed several course demonstration lists. This lists are a canonical listing of demonstrations by class period for the whole semester and contain the most popular demonstrations used by all faculty that have taught that course. Within these lists, you'll be able to review any demonstration, if there is a link.

Please Note: These lists are master lists and should be used as a guide. There maybe more demonstrations listed for a given lecture then is physically possible to due within that lecture period.

5. Demonstration Classification Scheme

We are in the process of classifying all demonstrations according to the PIRA classification scheme. "PIRA" stands for the Physics Instructional Resource Association, partially supported by the American Association of Physics Teachers. Click here to join the AAPT!

The goal of the PIRA demonstration classification scheme is to provide a logical organization of physics demonstrations and to assign each one a universal and unique number. The structure of the classification system is as follows, however an additional lower case letter was added to the standard PIRA code distinguish between duplications of equipment within our facilities.

In order to proceed with the above classification scheme at the UW-Madison. We had to devise a new scheme for equipment. This scheme is based on the PIRA Scheme but uses "EQ" within the id number to state that this item is Equipment and is used in multiple demonstrations. These numbers still use the Area and Topic nomenclature from the PIRA classification scheme which represents the main area that the equipment is stored at. The goal of the (EQ) classification scheme here is to provide a unique number for check out and inventory of all equipment and supplies related to that main area of physics demonstrations. The structure of the classification system is quite similar to the PIRA number and is as follows:

UW-Madison Equipment Classification Scheme

Example: 5B.EQ020.a (Electrometer)

5

Area

(Electricity and Magnetism)

B

Topic

(Electrostatics)

.EQ020

Equipment Name

(Electrometer)

.a

Duplication

For Multiple Units, (a, b, c, ... is used to distinguish between item's of different model & Serial Number)

A number of universities also use this PIRA scheme, so you may be able to find more detail about a particular demonstration by typing the demonstration name and the first part of the PIRA number into a any search engine, eg "Cottrell Precipitator 5B30".